The Best Strategies For Losing Weight

One of the most dangerous health habits in the United States is overeating, under exercising, and gaining weight.  In fact, according to a study by Dr. C. Ogden and co-workers (Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 958, page 1549, 2006), two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese as of 2004 and the results are just getting worse with increasing intake of fat in the diet, supersizing of fast foods, and continued under-use or non-use of exercise programs.  Being overweight or obese is preventable! And it’s also treatable, by you, starting alone or with the help of your doctors and nurses! But if you let yourself creep into overweight and then into obesity, those pounds result in increased cardiovascular disease and increased diabetes. 

In a recent study, Dr. L. Svetkey and her co-workers at Duke University Medical Center (Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 299, page 1139, 2008) compared different types of methods in over 1,000 patients being studied at four different university medical centers. First, the patients had received either a low-fat or a low-carbohydrate diet, and were encouraged to have increased physical activity. The patients also were entered into a weight-loss intervention in which a trained weight-loss support person had a weekly group teaching session with some patients and these sessions continued for approximately 6 months. Patients were encouraged to have 180 minutes per week of moderate physical activity such as brisk walking and to reduce calorie intake. The patient goal was to lose approximately 1 to 2 pounds per week during this program. 

This was a gradual and sensible weight loss program which used  the methods we all know about, but in this program these were supplemented by the support group. And this really was successful! During the initial six-month program, the AVERAGE weight loss was 19 lbs. And many patients lost a lot more.

Patients were next given different types of assistance in helping to maintain weight reduction with continued diet. After losing weight, patients were randomly assigned to either a self-directed approach where the patient was left on their own, or to have an internet technology-based intervention for motivation, support, problem solving, and relapse prevention, or to have a personal contact intervention such as they had during the first phase of losing weight. 

Initially the patients who had continued personal support, with the help of a trained weight-loss reduction person, regained less weight than those who were self-directed. And even the interactive internet technology-based program resulted in less weight gain than patients who tried to direct themselves. But the long term results were even more impressive. Over a period of 2 1/2 years, the best results came through continued internet interaction. 

These results are terribly important for individuals. It indicates that a comprehensive program of weight loss results in very significant improvement in obesity and overweight conditions, and can reduce cardiovascular mortality risks.  Since two-thirds of Americans are overweight, it is important for such individuals to begin immediately selecting an appropriate diet, exercise program, and use a support group.

But  these results also indicate that after the first successful weight loss has been completed, the work is not done! To continue to loose weight or even just to maintain the healthful weight loss you have already accomplished, continuation of diet and exercise with the help of outside support is critical in maintaining that beneficial health outcome.  And this help can either be personal, or through the regular and daily use of internet support. And there are many online support groups from which you can choose.  Try the free support sites such as www.weightcircles.com or www.weightlossbuddy.com .  Or for a monthly fee, you can get that support plus publications at www.biggestloserclub.com .

So if you are overweight, or if you are obese, be certain to work with your physician to use the most optimal treatment program for working yourself back towards a healthier situation.  And don’t forget about the benefits of support, now and forever!